osteoblasts | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

PhD Studentship in Immunobiology of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Skeletal Tissue Engineering, Newcastle University, UK

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant healthcare burden and preventing or slowing its onset would alleviate considerable patient disability and suffering.  The use of cell therapies offers an exciting opportunity to treat early stage osteochondral lesions that otherwise would go on to initiate osteoarthritic changes.  One strategy is to use the patients own cells alone or in conjunction with a biomaterial scaffold to rebuild the diseased tissue.  As part of the Arthritis Research UK Tissue Engineering Centre our research is focused on understanding the immunophenotype of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes or osteoblasts derived from this source. Approaches to the isolation of MSCs will be investigated and processes implemented to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) ensuring their translation to clinical use.  The immunobiology of MSCs and chondrocytes or osteoblasts differentiated in culture will be investigated by a number of approaches including flow cytometry.
Eligibility:The award covers University fees at the UK/EU rate and a stipend matched to the minimum Research Council recommended stipend, £13,590 (2010/11).  Candidates from outside UK/EU may apply but tuition fees will only be paid at the UK/EU rate.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 25 March 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application